DETROIT — LANSING, Mich., Jan. 6, 2026 – An Ingham County educator who is known for building lasting relationships with her students that go beyond the classroom has been honored with an Excellence in Education award from the Michigan Lottery.
The award winner, Allison Hansen, is a fifth-grade teacher at Pattengill School. The school is part of the Lansing School District.
The Michigan Lottery established the Excellence in Education awards in 2014 to recognize outstanding public-school educators across the state during the school year.
Winners of the weekly award receive a $2,000 cash prize. At the end of the school year, one of the weekly award winners will be selected to receive the Lottery’s Educator of the Year award and will receive a $10,000 cash prize.
Each winner also is featured in a news segment on the Lottery’s media partner stations: WXYZ-TV in Detroit, FOX 17 in Grand Rapids, FOX 47 in Lansing, WLUC in Marquette, WNEM-TV in Saginaw, and WWTV-TV in Traverse City. The news segment featuring Hansen will air this evening.
Hansen said educators she had as a student inspired her to pursue a career in education.
“When I was in kindergarten, I thought my teacher had the dream job. She got to hang out with the alphabet letter guys and watch us play on a seesaw and play structure that was in our classroom. The kindergarten me thought that my teacher had the best job ever! Even after kindergarten, I always remember school being so much fun during my years in school. I love my job, and I love making learning fun for my students. Anytime I can turn a learning target into a learning experience I am all for it. I love seeing the smiles on my students faces when they are truly engaged in their learning, and I think that students can learn so much more when learning is engaging.”
Hansen was nominated for the award by a former colleague.
“Mrs. Hansen has been teaching in Lansing her entire career. She has built lasting relationships with her students that go beyond the classroom. Mrs. Hansen often attends students’ sporting events and after-school activities to cheer them on in their successes outside of academics. Mrs. Hansen has developed her own curriculum that follows the state standards when teaching social studies and has developed and designed creative and engaging lessons for her students. They have acted out the events leading to the American Revolution, this is an activity that those fifth graders will always remember! Mrs. Hansen continues to go above and beyond for the students in her class, and the students in her building. She works tirelessly to make sure that the students in her building have the most effective technologies to help them engage in their lessons. She supports other teachers in her building and is a wonderful role model for all.”
Hansen earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Michigan State University. She has been an educator for 21 years, the last 10 in her current position.
Excellence in Education award nominees are evaluated on the following criteria:
- Excellence – Their work consistently helps students and/or their schools or school districts advance to higher levels of academic achievement.
- Dedication – They consistently go above and beyond expectations to help students succeed.
- Inspiration – Their work inspires others around them to exceed expectations either academically or professionally.
- Leadership – They demonstrate clear leadership skills in their positions with their school or school districts.
- Effectiveness – The nominee’s work has clear and positive results on the educational advancement of students within the school or school district.